Thursday, October 29, 2009

This section is the first to show more than one part of a character, mainly due to the other options not requiring much space.

Skills take up the main part of this section, and an expanded list of skills is given. Expanded as in even craft, profession and perform skill option is shown.

Class skills are automatically set based on the class, and any addition class feature that may treat a skill as a class skill like bardic knowledge for bards, or sorcerer bloodlines.

Each skill requires ranks to be entered, and these cannot exceed the maxium skill ranks for the level, and cannot be more then the total skill points available.

A miscellanous value can be assigned to a skill. Some are automatically added from feats (like skill focus) or classes. If skill focus, then the increase is checked against the number of ranks and is increased. Otherwise a score can be entered manually.

Languages are built up automatically from ones automatically given from race, and then bonus one based on the characters intelligence score.

A column shows where the languaged was gained from, either be it R from race and cannot be changed (as shown in orange) B for bonus, and S from linguistic skill.

When the language is selected for a bonus language, its checked against the list available for the race.

Druidic is the only language that can be selected.

The total languages are displayed for reference.

Proficiences are split into generic and then specific proficiencies. This are updated from classes and feats.

This includes bonus feats from races, feats gained at levels, and bonus feats gained by classes.

Some feats added in this way cannot be changed and are shown as orange in the grid.

When selecting a feat, its listed in order of normals feats, item creation feats, metamagic, then monster feats.

Each feat is checked against its prerequisite if it has any. This includes other feats, Base Attack bonus, ability score, proficincy in a skill etc etc....

If if a feat is selected for a class i.e monk or ranger, then its limited source is checked first, and then if the feat still is required to check prerequisties, then that is done so.

Feats that require a choice will be prompted for that choice from either a list of weapons, skills of spell schools as required. This includes feats that cannot be changed gained above. The feat choice is then showed in brackets.

This meant I had to rename some feats slightly like improved critical to improved weapon critical.

The basic detail of the feats are then shown on the right and cannot be changed.

I really liked the way I did this as it shows you exactly how and when you obtained a feat.

Class options is a section I left for some time as I wanted to get the other sections working before delving into what each class affected. The section is designed to choose the different options available for each class.

Only the classes that have been selected in page 3 can be accessed. The order of the classes is determined by the order in which the class were entered i.e Rogue then Fighter.

The features for selection are determined on the class level for that class. Higher level features are only displayed when the class is found to have sufficient level.

Each page displays a grid with the special abilities for the class. Only the features available for the class level are shown.

If the class has a feature that requires a choice at a periodic level, these are displayed in the grid along with the classes special abilities. If the options can only be selected as determined by the class, and check for any prerequisites it may require such as class level.

Other class features that are either a one time choice, or add new features based on the class level, are shown next to the grid. Class features such such as Domains, Bloodlines and Wizard Schools display the features based on the class level. Others class features such as Favoured Enemies and Weapon Groups, require a selection to be made, but are automatically updated based on the order they were entered.

Classes that do not require any option to be chosen, still display the grid as well as other relevant information

If the class feature adds a feat or improved a skill or gives the character another ability, this is handled in the relevant section.

I'll be posting screen shots of each class at level 10 to see the different options available.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

The level progression section is based on an excel spreadsheet I made to see how my characters above 1st level would have come about when it came to hit and skill points as well as their other features. Pathfinder added the concept of favoured class which allowed an addition +1 hit or skill point based on if the class selected was the same as the favoured class selected.

The yellow columns indicate the areas that can be entered, with a class checking against the alignment prerequisites associated.

The first level always receives max hit points, so this is why it is indicated in orange. Otherwise the roll for the level is entered. These values are then used in the Health & Saves section.

The favoured class benefit can only be entered if the class is the favoured class. If the benefit is +1 hit point, then the amount is included again in the Health & Saves section. If the benefit is +1 skill point, then it is added to the total skill points column which includes any intelligence modifier (which is shown for reference)

This section also includes the level ability bonuses gained at every 4th level. An attribute is required to be entered, and the attributes on page 1 are updated in accordance.

Both the level progression and level ability bonuses can be reset, allowing new values to be entered.

As can be seen, this section is used to set the race & attributes and other details of any character at time of creation.

Attributes can be entered in manually, or when no class levels have been entered, rolled for using the system setup in preferences. Either way enteres in a base score for the attribute.

Temp scores can be also entered that the program checks to use when an attribute is required for another section.

When the race is changed, the racial traits are shown as a reference for the user. If the race is human or half-elf, the screen gives the ability to select the attribute to update, or the 2nd favoured class respectivly.

Otherwise if the race has an racial modifier to an attribute, this is updated automatically and cannot be changed. Any feature a character may have that alters an attribute is handled in a similar manner.

When the character has levels as setup in the level progression section, the total class level is shown, and the tool tip displays the breakdown of each class and level.

The program has a few preferences used throughout that are mostly default options that I found required to be available to be changed, rather then hardcoded.

The program has the ability to create ability scores based on either the Standard, Classic or Heoric settings as per the pathfinder rule book. The reroll 1's is an addition feature used as a house rule in my gaming group.

Character advancement is used to determine the XP for next level based off the characters current level.

Each world may have a variety of "common" languages, so I provide an default option for when a common language is selected, that the program prompts for the choice of common language.

Fractional progression was introduced in Unearthed Arcana. It uses a system that for each class base save, it is broken down into fractions, so that multi-class characters may gain a increase slightly earlier when two fractions add up. I have included this as we still use this rule at my gaming group from time to time.

The last option was introduced to allow users to compare different characters option quickly staying on the same section rather then defaulting back to the first - Race & Attributes.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Each section of the program is displayed on a picture I found on the paizo blog.

The Open Gaming Licence details are accessed from the help menu, as is the about screen that is shown as the splash screen.

The different sections available are displayed in the top left, and the list of saved characters is display in the bottom left. When a section is selected, the options for that section are displayed.

The effect is a transparent form, but is actually an visual illusion I learnt.Some items can be drilled down into, so that the different scores can be entered. I allow for 6 different scores to be entered either manually, or entered via the program based on a option for that character that cannot be changed. I also allow for the type of score to be entered eg. enchantment, inherit, etc... The total score checks for these different types and uses the highest value of each type (if present) unless it is a dodge bonus.

By default if there is no score with a type associated with it, then the types are not shown. The 'Show Type" checkbox can be clicked to show the types. If there is a score with a type, this checkbox is selected automatically and the types shown.

I've always disliked updating paper character sheets for my role playing when either creating or leveling a character. I streem lined this process by using a level progression excel spreadsheet that I made up, but never had it in me to create a character sheet in excel itself. So I went looking for already done ones.

I stumbled across a great pdf saveable sheet at http://www.ssa-x2.com/ which I found better then any excel sheet around. However being a saveable pdf, it requires a full version of adobe to save and use all its functionality. The creator though has gone into 4th Ed, so the 3.5 version has become out to date.

I looked at editing this but found it quite annoying, so looked around for other programs to use to no avail. So as a software developer myself I decided to create my own program in the language I know best - Visual Fox Pro

Program Overview.

Pathfinder has streemlined a lot of the rules from 3.5, but there is still a lot of options that affect one or mutiple aspect of a character. This program is designed to automate as many of those options, so that the user doesn't have to remember everything.

The program strictly adhers to the Paizo Publishing Community Use Policy described at http://paizo,com/communityuse. The splash screen indicates this:

The program is split into sections for ease of use, rather then trying to cram everything onto a single screen. The sections as per this post are:

Race & Attributes

Description

Level Progression

Class Options

Feats

Skills & Proficiencies

Health & Saves

Combat Modifiers

Weapons

Worn Equipment

Each section has a variety of options available to be manually updated, or shown for reference automatically updated by the program.

Many items allow a drill down so that each score that makes up the item can be recorded.